Otherworldly Affairs Office
Chapter 48: Confinement Loop

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Confinement Loop

The agitation of losing contact with his inner source and the intense burning sensation from his arm made Pei Yan painfully unbearable, not to mention the sudden increase in the weight of the copper ring almost tore his shoulder, risking a muscle strain.

It was at this moment that Hu Wenjun leisurely walked to his side, bent down, and gently pointed at the copper ring. After a series of creaking metal friction sounds, the number of loops on the copper ring gradually faded and finally returned to its original size.

"Now you know what it’s for, right!"

Pei Yan rubbed his sore shoulder, stared at the copper ring in Hu Wenjun’s hand with lingering fear, and nodded: "I know, this is equivalent to handcuffs for ability users."

"That’s correct, this thing is called a Confinement Ring. It contains part of the power of Wenlin, who initially sealed your body, and is crafted from the materials and technologies of both the Dao and Demon planes." Saying this, Hu Wenjun took out another copper ring, put both on his hands, and then gently brought the two arms together. With a bang, the arms covered with copper rings were firmly shackled together and could not be separated.

"Unlike the low-level mark that sealed your inner source back then, this handcuff contains a sealing strength targeted at the highest-level ability users. When both arms are shackled like this, the sealing is even stronger. Furthermore, if you capture multiple offenders, you can use your mind to split the Confinement Ring into several, but twelve is its transformation limit." After finishing, Hu Wenjun shook his hands, and the copper rings on his arms gradually loosened and returned to their original form. Then, with a flick of his wrist, the two Confinement Rings continually split into twelve copper rings, then another flick, and they were collected back into the spirit ring.

"But why can you easily unlock the copper rings!" Pei Yan asked in confusion.

"Because it is activated by my inner source and can’t lock myself. I was just demonstrating."

"Then why didn’t you use yourself as an example at first?"

"Isn’t this to give you a more profound impression? Moreover, I saw you were enjoying yourself earlier, so you should experience this item properly."

The reasoning was so sound that Pei Yan found himself at a loss for words.

Gao Yaping, laughing to the point of tears, handed two copper rings to Pei Yan, allowing him to inject his inner source to activate them. As he watched the copper rings expand and contract freely in his hand, Pei Yan couldn’t help but imagine surprising Hu Wenjun when he wasn’t paying attention to see his reaction.

As if seeing through Pei Yan’s thoughts, Hu Wenjun straightforwardly said, "I advise you to put away that little thought. Regarding the Confinement Ring, I must warn you, don’t attempt to use it on someone with greater strength than yourself, as it will only backfire. Also, against those with the ability to project their inner source externally or possessing a protective cultivation technique from another plane, unless you disperse their inner source and break their protective cultivation technique, this copper ring is of no use when put on them."

"Projecting inner source externally, is it like those enveloped in a strange aura, such as Xia Yu or Elder Lin?" Hearing this term multiple times, Pei Yan instantly perked up.

"That’s right!"

Pei Yan persisted in asking: "When can I project my inner source externally? And what exactly is awakening?"

"It’s not your time yet, and today there are quite a few affairs. You can ask Wang Wenze about this later." Hu Wenjun extended a hand to interrupt Pei Yan’s inquiries, then nodded towards Gao Yaping.

Gao Yaping glanced at her clipboard and murmured: "Hmm, let me see what’s left. Standard-issue handgun, but this item is canceled due to your own ability. Most of the basic equipment has been issued; the remaining special mission gear can be collected from your new team leader when you’re on assignment. Oh, and your uniform will be tailored later; a tailor will visit your dorm. Lastly, there’s this item." With that, Gao Yaping conjured a badge from thin air and tossed it to Pei Yan.

Pei Yan caught the badge and asked: "We have uniforms too?"

"Previously, we didn’t. After Director Gu took office, he insisted on having them specially designed and made with materials from other planes. He said it would enhance unity and a sense of belonging within the bureau. However, usually, whether on duty or in the bureau, no one wears it. After all, we’re a department not officially recognized on the surface." Gao Yaping said, cradling her clipboard, her voice carrying a hint of melancholy that Pei Yan, not well-versed in worldly affairs, could discern in both her and Hu Wenjun’s expressions.

To ease the awkward atmosphere, Pei Yan deliberately joked: "Could it be because it’s too ugly?"

"When you see it before you, you’ll understand. Now, Xiaogao, tell him about the badge’s use, and then we’ll leave here." Hu Wenjun lightly massaged his Qingming Acupoint and spoke with hidden meaning.

"It’s quite simple; its use is the same as the previous item, its function is invisibility, so don’t get too excited!"

Seeing Pei Yan’s beaming expression, Gao Yaping raised her hand to stop him and said: "This item is only to be used when you really can’t hide your identity. If you use it once, you’ll realize this thing drains your inner source tremendously. Using it once will tire you more than a fight. Moreover, the cooldown time is lengthy; typically, after ten minutes of use, you’ll need about an hour’s rest before you can use it again. Also, it only hides your appearance; your actual presence remains real."

"Understood!"

After Pei Yan finished using and stored the badge in the spirit ring, Gao Yaping led the two out of the seemingly empty warehouse. As the three stepped out, the previously glowing white warehouse turned pitch black in an instant, with cold winds blowing from within, sending chills down one’s spine.

After the three of them exited the warehouse, the large iron door slowly closed, finally returning to its previous state of seamless closure.

After the door was closed, Gao Yaping took a pendant that appeared out of thin air and respectfully placed it back on the old yellow dog’s neck, then shouted to Pei Yan: "Show your spirit ring so the master can sniff it!"

"Oh, oh!" Seeing Gao Yaping show such respect to the old yellow dog, Pei Yan dared not slack and hurriedly revealed the spirit ring, squatted down, and held it to the dog’s nose.

After its wet nose sniffed back and forth on the jade ring and himself, the old yellow dog lazily crawled back to the ground and closed its eyes again.

"Let’s go! Keep quiet!" Gao Yaping helped Pei Yan stand and let him put on the spirit ring, and the three tiptoed away from the old yellow dog.

After walking a little distance away, Pei Yan heard rustling sounds behind him, like someone crying or a little girl’s laughter, accompanied by the sound of tearing open a packaging bag.

His curiosity piqued, Pei Yan couldn’t resist wanting to turn back and take a look, but Gao Yaping kicked him in the calf and whispered harshly: "If you want to avoid nightmares for the next month, don’t look back!"

"Okay, okay!" Upon hearing this, Pei Yan’s hair stood on end, and he shut his eyes tightly, repeatedly agreeing. Nestled between Hu Wenjun and Gao Yaping, he wished he could sprout wings and flee the floor.

After climbing five or six flights of stairs, the three finally stopped at a landing, where Pei Yan watched as Hu Wenjun reluctantly pulled out two hundred yuan from his pocket and slapped it onto the smiling Gao Yaping’s hand.

Watching Gao Yaping step into the corridor, Pei Yan called out loudly: "Sister Gao, this isn’t the floor you came from! We still need to climb up!"

Without turning around, Gao Yaping waved the two hundred yuan in response to Pei Yan with a delicate smile: "You guys keep climbing, sis is home!"

A bewildered Pei Yan turned to look at a sullen Hu Wenjun, only to be given a hard slap on the back of his head and inexplicably yelled at: "If someone tells you not to look back, you just don’t look back!"

"What the heck is going on here??"